I Love Dialogue from First Love by Dellani

Maddie and her friends are on a summer mission trip with their church youth group. They've driven hundreds of miles from Nebraska to New Mexico and are spending their first evening getting to know some of the local group members. Claire, the mean girl, has already started picking on Maddie and her friend Pati. Taking a liking to one of the local boys, who doesn't even know she's alive, Claire gets annoyed when they ignore her and her clique.

"Come on, girls," Claire said. "It's obvious this riffraff don't deserve to hang around us." She got up with forced bravado. Tossing her hair, she tried to hop gracefully from the back of the pickup, but lost her balance, tipping to one side as she landed.

The others followed her reluctantly, not wanting to leave the boys behind. Claire insisted, walking into the fellowship hall as quickly as she could.

"She's gonna pee in your shampoo," Clayton said as he watched them walk away. "Or whatever it is evil bitches from hell do to get even."

"Put condoms in your purse," Maddie said.

"Or threaten to tell people you gave someone a blow job," Pati added, not thinking of her audience.

The men all perked up with that announcement.

"Do tell," Brad said quickly. "Who was the lucky guy?"

"There wasn't one. She was going to lie and say I gave one to Cl—" She snapped her lips shut, but it was too late.

"Wow, Clay—way to go, dude!" Brad and Clayton did a complicated handshake.

"Wish I could say we had," Clayton said kindly. "Cause I'm sure it would have been great. But no. Pati hasn't sucked my man juice."

Maddie, who was closer, punched him—hard. He rubbed his arm, protesting loudly.

"Damn, that hurt! What the hell? How do you know how to punch like that?"

"I have two older brothers who thought their baby sister should know how to defend herself against dweebs and perverts." She punched him again. "And their friends too."

"Stop that! I'm sticking up for her!"

"In a totally gross way," Gabriel said, watching the exchange with amusement. "Could have done without the man juice bit."

"That was a little over the top," Clayton agreed. "But I wanted it clear."

"We got it," Luis said. "No oral pleasuring transpired. Too bad, though. Cause you're one hot mama," he stated honestly.

Pati didn't know whether to be flattered or disgusted. "Thank you," she muttered. "But I don't do any of that. Ever." That was enough true confessions for one night. She wanted to leave, but wasn't going to face the girls on her own.

"Me either," Maddie said, backing up her friend. "And it's going to stay that way," she announced, glaring at the men.

They all held up their hands, holding them like Maddie had a gun on them.

"I swear, it hadn't crossed my mind," Luis said. "Well, I lied, it did. But only because I'm a guy and that's all we think about."

The others nodded, agreeing. Pati and Maddie had to laugh. They looked like bobble heads, their chins bouncing in unison.

"Is that really all you think about?" Pati asked. "I don't have any brothers to ask."

"Oh, I never ask my brothers," Maddie said. "Just like you shouldn't ask this bunch."

"Why?"

"Because they'll tell you," Maddie stated. "And there are some things better off not knowing."

"Like the fact I had sex with Beverly?" Daniel said.

Brad punched him. "You had to bring that up again? Are you nuts?"

"Drunk and horny," Daniel said by way of explanation.

"Wait, you drink? You're a minister's kid," Pati said.

Daniel shrugged. "We're worse than anyone, just better at hiding it."

© 2017 Dellani Oakes

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Rachel Rueben - Fantastic Blog Hop

Our final stop for the Fantastic Blog Hop bus is Cleveland, Ohio where we bounce up and down the block in search of Rachel Rueben.

What genre do you write? Would you consider writing anything else?

I generally write a bit of everything now, fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and adult books. Honestly, there’s almost nothing I won’t write!

Do you outline and plan or do you let the plot unfold?

I do both, I begin the story au natural then I begin to outline so I know when the story ends.

What do you like most about writing?

I like that I can change the world and not get into trouble for it.

What do you find most difficult?

I find sticking with a schedule difficult because things happen. Just this week, I discovered I needed dental surgery and that’s not going to be good. So I won’t be writing for a day or two, well, nothing coherent LOL!

What makes a good plot?

Interesting characters make or break a plot. If you’re characters can’t pull it off, and move the story along, then you’ve done something wrong.

What is a question you'd like to be asked and never are? Answer it.

Would like your 100 billion dollars in cash or check? Neither, bring me a small country I can rule!

What experiences have inspired you?

I think my quitting school, inspired a lot of what I do today, it was the day I became an adult and began making decisions on my own.

How did you first become interested in writing?

I was a book worm in school, because of the boredom of the everyday humdrum. I swear I felt like Billy Murray in that movie “Ground Hog Day.” Seriously, I was having the same day over and over to the point where I had no idea what day it was, let alone, the month.

What are your current projects?

I’m beginning the sequel to Eternal Bond and also working on an erotic book under a different name.

How important is dialogue and how do you use it?

Dialogue is vital, I use it to build tension, and also to move the story along.

Bio:

Rachel Rueben went to school to become an administrative assistant but instead, wound up an author. In her defense, she tried freelance writing, virtual assisting, and blogging to pay the bills, but creating worlds was her one and only passion.

This past summer, Rachel entered the sacred order of authorhood with the release of her first novel “Hag” which made it to #10 on the Amazon’s Women’s and Girl’s Literature list.

To find out what Rachel is up to you can check out her new site at:

She continues to blog about her publishing journey at:

You can also find Rachel on Twitter

And catch her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.rueben?fref=ts

Excerpt from Eternal Bond by Rachel Rueben

When Clara awoke, she wasn’t in the carriage house anymore instead, she was lying on a couch in a dimly light parlor. Hearing a creaking sound, she thought someone was approaching and slowly she got up from the couch. Turning around, Clara saw James hanging from the ceiling.

With a leather noose was wrapped around his neck, the leather cracked, as the body swayed back and forth.

Though her lips moved, nothing came out, but a whimper. A small feminine hand appeared pushing the body, making it sway faster.

Cheerfully, a familiar voice said, “Morning.”

Needing no introduction, Clara recognized who it was. It was the devil’s consort herself, Apollonia. Stepping out from behind the body, she revealed herself and the enormous smile on her face.

Grabbing a candle, Apollonia went over to the body and examined it with a spectacle remarking aloud, “Nicely executed, just deep enough and very clean!”

Shaking from head to toe Clara stood there scared silly.

Running her fingers through James’ hair, she said, “He was chosen just for you young, strapping—delectable.”

Clara began feeling ill, upon hearing it was all a set up.

Looking over her shoulder at Clara, Apollonia said, “I told you Clara, thou art highly favored.”

Apollonia went back to amusing herself with the corpse, using pressure points to making the eyes bulge and lips move.

Eventually, she tore herself away from her entertainment to talk further with Clara. Reaching out to touch her, Clara immediately jerked back from her. Though Clara had failed in a most miserable way, she wasn’t ready to embrace those failures.

Instead, she was drawn to a window that looked like it was slowly shedding tears. To her, it seemed as though the angels themselves were shedding tears from heaven. Watching as the drizzle slowly crept down the glass, Clara found herself unable to react anymore, so she didn’t. Looking over at the body and out the window again, she stood still.

Yes, she hated him, she hated him more than anything she ever had in her life. And like a monster, she robbed him of his life, a right reserved only for God and God alone. All these thoughts tortured her as she was confronted with her new reality.

Sinking deeper and deeper into despair, Apollonia spoke up and said with a tender compassion, “I know what you’re thinking, and none of it is true!”

Bewildered Clara said, “You know not my thoughts, only God does” and she believed that, but she questioned whether He even cared anymore. Her very soul was being eaten alive by her enemies, and all she received was silence from the throne of The Most High.

Taking the more sensitive approach, she spoke aloud everything in Clara’s tortured mind. “You spend all your life following their commandments, whipping your very thoughts into submission. Then, just as you taste mortality you discover, there’ll be no reward for you! All those years of fearful sowing, yielded nothing but the whirlwind!”

Clara looked back at her in shock, because she had managed to recite every single one of her thoughts. And she knew she was in trouble, because Apollonia was starting to make sense.

Meeting her in the middle of the room, Clara asked, “What do you want?”

“Salvation just like you!” Apollonia answered.

“After death comes judgment, not salvation.” Clara said.

Sensing she was on the verge, Apollonia continued the philosophical assault asking, “Death itself was judgment on man, so what is this?”

Clara could only answer, “I do not know.”

“Then let us teach you!” She said trying to secure the victory.

To seal the deal, Apollonia extended her hand in friendship and without looking, Clara accepted it.

Rachel Rueben Rocks!

Recently, Rachel and I sat down for a chat on our monthly radio show. We never take the time to really talk about ourselves so Monday, May 13 was our day to shine. We had a wonderful time, and we even talked a little bit about our books! We didn't ask all the questions we had prepared, so we decided to share them on our blogs. These are the questions I had for Rachel. Enjoy!

When did you first realize you'd been bitten by the writing bug?

I was about 17 when I decided to take my first adult writing class. I did this because of boredom because I wasn’t learning anything interesting in school and out of sheer curiosity.

What made you decide to publish your own work?

After getting 40 rejections for my children’s book Escape of the Dodos, I got weary and decided I was through with rejections. At the time, I was writing my YA novel, Kindle, had just become wildly popular and Amazon was giving writers who published with them, a 60% royalty rate which is killer compared to the industry standard.

What have you learned from this experience?

I learned how hard it is to create a book from conception to birth LOL! I also learned a lot about the publishing industry and how it really operates. It’s not all queries and editing as some authors foolishly believe.

What prompted you to write Eternal Bond?

I began Eternal Bond in 2007 when Stephenie Myer’s book Twilight was being made into a movie and felt I could do better, to make a long story short, I ended up doing a Mark Twain and walked away for 5 years.

How much research did you have to do for Eternal Bond?

I did a little online research regarding the Middle Ages and the black plague but nothing extreme. I was more focused on delivering the best story I could. I don’t think people really care about whether women wore long open sleeves or kirtles. Research is nice but only if it enhances the story. If you’re stopping a fight scene to describe the red velvety drapes, something is wrong!

How long did it take to write Eternal Bond?

Embarrassingly enough 8 years. 1 year to write it, another 6 to ignore it and one year to pick up the pieces

and completely rewrite it.

Is it more important to write to trends or write what interests you?

As I proved with the whole trying to mock Stephenie Myer thing, I can’t write according to the trends no matter how hard I try. I have to write what’s on my heart.

When you aren't writing, how do you spend your time?

What’s this free time thing you speak of? Just kidding. Currently, if I’m not freelancing, I’m reading about self-publishing or taking a blogging course. Writing and learning to make a living at it has become my life 24/7.

If you had it to do over, would you pursue your career differently?

I probably wouldn’t have given up so soon after high school. I most likely would have hung in there and gotten more aggressive but I didn’t know any better. I figured if I was getting rejections, that it meant I wasn’t any good. I now know that the publishing industry publishes only publishes what the current trends are and rarely ventures out of that.


Rachel Rueben had no intention of becoming a writer, but after numerous attempts at being normal she gave up and became an author. Her first novel Hag made it to #10 on the Amazon’s bestseller’s list in its first month. Her next project includes a series of supernatural books called, The Eternal Bond Series due out in the fall of 2013.

Rachel is a blogger, freelancer, and content contributor to several writing blogs. The first three chapters of Eternal Bond are currently available on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/9639612-eternal-bond-chapter-1

Hag, a Young Adult Novel by Rachel Reuben

Next on the Fantastic Blog Hop, we stop once more in Cleveland, Ohio. Today, we're chatting with Desmond, one of the main characters in Hag. He's chatting with Jamie Livingston. Let's see what he has to say.

Hi everybody it’s Jamie Livingston and today, I’m here with a very controversial figure, Desmond. Do not adjust your headsets, you heard me right, the ex from hell, is here to answer questions about his role in Rachel Rueben’s novel, “Hag” and I can’t wait to get started…

I’m gonna get to the point, why on earth did you date Audrey? I mean what was the point?

Desmond: “I don’t know, you just can’t be real in a town like Cleveland. It’s not the most sophisticated place in the world. You saw what they did to Roddai. There was no way I was going to be the ‘here and queer poster child!’”

So you’re insecure about your sexuality?

Desmond: “I ain’t insecure about a damn thing! It’s called smarts, if you wanna survive, you play by the rules. I don’t hate the players, just the game!”

What does that mean?

Desmond: “I didn’t get to make up the rules, I didn’t choose to be born in a homophob town, and I didn’t choose to fall in love with my best friend.”

Which one Roddai, or Audrey?

Desmond: “Both”

So you’re bisexual?

Desmond: “Don’t know. Jeez lady I’m only 17. Who knows, I might decide to marry a chick and have kids. You know, live the American dream, out in the burbs and all.

How did those boys find out?

Desmond: “My guess is Roddai, I’d been frontin’ for years. I was an expert at it. Roddai, not so much. He just couldn’t hide it.”

Do you regret how your life ended?

Desmond: “Man I ain’t got time for regrets, okay, maybe one… I should’ve had more backup at that damn fight!”

Hag is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo both in print and ebook form. The first three chapters are free to check out in Goodreads, Wattpad and Amazon.

You can also sign up for Rachel Rueben’s newsletter to get updates and discounts on her next novel “Eternal Bond” a vampire novel series that will knock your socks off.   

Rachel Reuben - Author Extraordinaire!

Today, the Fantastic Blog Hop tour bus is making its first scheduled stop in the chilly north. We stop to warm our hands at the home of author, Rachel Reuben. Hi, Rachel! Welcome to the tour! Tell us a little about yourself.


What is your story about?  
My story “Hag” is about a girl who discovers her ex is gay through tragedy.

Where does your story take place?
My hometown, Cleveland, Ohio.

Is writing a natural talent, or did you take classes to hone your craft?
I can honestly say it was a learned skill.  The people I grew up with were constantly telling tall tales.  Mainly to get me to do what they wanted like; eat my veggies, go to bed, etc.  I just started writing my lies down and selling them LOL!

Do you have a ritual when you write?  (Special time of day, music etc.)
I like to write at night, but that’s hard to do now that I have to go to bed at night.  My ritual consists of answering emails, blogging, and writing at least one scene of my book.

Do you write in multiple genres?
Yes, I’ve done nonfiction, children’s and now YA/fantasy.

Most people want to know, is writing really all that hard?
It can be if you choose a difficult topic.  My newest book Eternal Bond took several years to write because I had no experience writing a novel.  I made all the typical rookie mistakes; writing in first person, following trends, and not knowing much about the genre.

Do your family and friends read your work? 
Only my aunt has read my book.

Have you ever had writers block and if so, how did you overcome it?
I’ve had it and I actually gave up and started freelancing, thinking I didn’t have what it takes to write novels.

Do you have an illustrator, or co-author, if so, who?
No.

Who is your favorite author of all time?  
Mark Twain, hands down.  

What is your latest release?

Hag.

What other books do you have published?

None.

Where to Buy Hag: 

Amazon Link 

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

First Three Chapters: 

Goodreads

Wattpad

Amazon

Review of Hag

Audrey Saldano has learned to be tough. Living on the less posh side of Cleveland, she's learned to defend herself. The only thing she can't defend herself against is the pain she feels when she sees her ex-boyfriend, Desmond, with his new girlfriend, Raquel.

Even the appearance of a hot, interesting new guy, Roddai, can't make her feel any less upset. In fact, Roddai irritates her even more. He's persistent and, eventually, Audrey finds that she enjoys his company.

Audrey isn't quite sure what's going on when Desmond shows up at her home and wants to be friends again. In fact, he asks her out to a carnival and she agrees to go. While there, he's jumped by a bunch of boys from another school. Desmond fights them off, but gets surrounded. Fortunately, Roddai isn't far away and jumps in to help Desmond, scaring the other boys off.

For a time, life seems pretty good. She and Desmond are back together and she's friends with Roddai. Everything is fine until Desmond decides to get even with the guys who jumped him at the Winter Carnival. This time, things don't go so well and Desmond is seriously hurt. Audrey's life falls apart. Desmond's death reveals secrets he'd been keeping, even from her.

Hag is an intense, real life drama for teens. Gritty and hard hitting, Hag closely examines Audrey's situation and asks the question, "What would you do if...?"

The characters in Hag are well fleshed out and seem authentic to the reader. Audrey is an especially good, three dimensional character. Her grief and anger are very real. While we might not agree with her actions, we can see why she reacts in the way she does. She is tough, independent, self-sufficient and doesn't rely on others to fight her battles for her.

I really enjoyed Hag is a great coming of age story for young adult readers 16+ and adults. It will make you laugh, cry and cheer.

Capturing the Castle (How “Once Upon a Castle” was born)

My guest today is author Alan S. Blood. He's visiting here today to share how his story, Once Upon a Castle came to be. Alan, welcome to Writer's Sanctuary.

On a bitterly cold, November afternoon, I found myself stranded near Bamburgh Castle on the wild Northumberland coast whilst the local, old fashioned garage, with tall petrol pumps, repaired my broken-down car.

The delicate, somewhat bright, late autumn sunlight created an eerie, pastel coloured scene, albeit tempered by a biting breeze, yet quite magical, certainly ancient, and almost ethereal.

Vikings have landed here,’ I told myself scanning the unique white beaches below the hazy castle ramparts. It was one of those strange experiences that triggered the imagination and I could see a Scandinavian longship coming ashore, disgorging horned-helmeted warriors seizing the beach before storming inland to ravage the sparse Saxon populace. I could feel that there was a tale to be told.

With the genesis of a story in my mind, I conducted research into Northumbrian castles and was intrigued to discover there was another ruined castle along the coast. This gave me a plot basis involving two castles, one of which was real and the other a phantom! Ideas built as I thought this was an area to where children were evacuated during World War II.

Things shaped towards an exciting novel for young adolescents involving twelve-year-old twins, Tom and Mary (to appeal to both sexes) who dread being sent from southern England to Aunt Victoria’s Northumberland farm. Yet she proves to be young, and fun, until lessons are arranged with a terrible private tutor, Miss Urquart. Their London Uncle Toby had said: “There will be castles to explore with ghosts and things.”

Teenage rebelliousness ensues as the twins escape and riotous, scary adventures involving castles, Vikings and even the Royal Navy begin.

Once Upon a Castle is republished by USA publisher GMTA Publishing under their imprint, Mythos Press.




About: Once Upon a Castle

Uncle Toby had said that there would be castles to explore, with ghosts and things. This helps to cheer up the glum twelve-year old Lovell twins, Tom and Mary, leaving their schools and loving parents to be evacuated to wild Northumbria during World War II. Then the adventure begins.

They live with their Aunt Victoria and Uncle Leslie, meet the loveable ‘Mrs M’, a strange dog called ‘Scamp’ and, worst, the terrible private tutor, Miss Urquart, from whom they run away to find a mysterious castle seen through an old telescope.

Now they are drawn into bizarre supernatural events of a time-warp between the war itself and ancient warfare. They encounter dark forces, as the story twists and turns, and are even rescued by the Royal Navy. Yet, this is only the beginning of more unexpected tragedies before the twins begin to escape from it all.

ABOUT ALAN:

Alan S. Blood worked in the British Civil Service, Advertising and journalism (edited three publications) before qualifying as a Teacher from the University of Reading, England. He enjoyed a long, distinguished career in the Teaching Profession, in both Primary and Secondary levels of education, in several parts of the UK - which eventually led to Senior Management. His main subject area was English and, at one time, he was Head of English and Drama. Throughout, he gained considerable knowledge of literature that children and adolescents enjoy.

Alan now devotes his time to writing novels, plays, screenplays and poetry. He won top award in the ‘Hastings International Poetry Festival’ (2003) with his controversial ‘litter’ poem ‘CONTRITE CAN CANNOT’. The paranormal genre features in much of his prose work.

‘ONCE UPON A CASTLE’ is a ghost story written for young people (but also enjoyed by adults) set in World War 11. It concerns both a real and a phantom castle based upon Alan’s experience of strange castles on the wild Northumbrian coast of England on cold, dark wintry afternoon.

Alan Blood has widely traveled the world and undertook research in Chile where some of his supernatural crime thriller ‘CRY OF THE MACHI A Suffolk Murder Mystery’ is set. He was previously a Cotswold Morris Dancer and the novel is a conflict between the forces of good and evil linking a Chilean ‘Machi’ and ‘organised crime’ to murders in a Suffolk Morris Men side.

Alan enjoys wildlife photography in the Welsh countryside, painting and scraperboard engraving. He lives in a Victorian (1873) house below the Cambrian Mountains of Mid-Wales.

Connect With Alan

Website:  http://www.alansblood.co.uk/
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5068714.Alan_S_Blood
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alan-S-Blood-AUTHOR/237585902938877
Facebook Like Page:  https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponACastle
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AlanSBlood

Buy the Book: 
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Castle-Alan-Blood/dp/1478306750/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357603197&sr=8-3&keywords=once+upon+a+castle
Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/once-upon-a-castle-alan-s-blood/1112345687?ean=9781478306757
Createspace:  https://www.createspace.com/3947440
Kobo:  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Once-Upon-a-Castle/book-540nsPe1AEGmScLmvz8ulg/page1.html?s=6IoRz8t4WECzM-9ZzI0wQQ&r=1

Quote of the Week from Indian Summer

I've started posting a quote of the week on my Facebook page. However, since not everyone is on Facebook, I decided to start posting on my blogs as well. The following is from my historical novel, "Indian Summer" available from the publisher
http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/ or from Amazon.com

Gabriella Deza is the daughter of the Spanish Territorial Governor. She is young, innocent and naive of the ways between men and women. Manuel, her fiance, is several years older and much more knowledgeable of the baser things in life. This conversation takes place one day when they are driving around town in Manuel's buggy.

"You've a question in your eyes, my love."

I reddened, dropping my gaze. "Am I that obvious?"

"Only to me. Now what is it? There should be no secrets between us."

I pursed my lips and thought of the best way to phrase it. "Well, you know much about me having known my father for so long, but I know so very little about you. Much of what you told me just now, it was about your aunt. Tell me of you."

He smiled pensively. "Very well, and where shall I start?" It was more a rhetorical question, but
I decided to answer him in any case.

"You could begin, with telling me your age." I said, suddenly becoming interested in my shoes. I tossed my head back, looking him squarely in the eye.

His contagious laughter filled the town, echoing off the buildings. "Ah, Bella, I thought you wanted the confessions of all my sins or something the way you're acting. My age? Well I'm older than you but not old enough to be your father."

I stamped my foot, startling the horses. "I'm being serious! You know much about me, nearly my life's story. I know you're an orphan and that you love me and - that you're well appointed."

He laughed even louder. "What a minx you are to say a thing like that! All right, you win. First, you make a guess. How old do you think I am?"

I looked at him appraisingly, considering. "Well, when I first met you, I considered you an old man. I would have said a few months ago that you were in your thirties."

His laughter subsided, a twinkle in his eye."And now?"

I thought again. "Well when you laugh it takes many years off you. But when you're serious, it adds a few years. So I shall go with an average, somewhere in the middle and say three and twenty?"

"Well, I could be, but then again, perhaps not. You've not considered everything, my sweet." He ticked the points off on his fingers, dropping the reins. The mares stopped moving as soon has he set them down. "First, I'm a trusted aide to your father. Second, I'm extremely well educated and I speak several languages fluently."

He winked at me and I tapped him with my parasol lightly on the knee.

"And third?"

He considered a moment. "There is no third. No, I think we have covered the salient points. So, do you still think me three and twenty?"

"Well, given the evidence as listed, I would have to say more like three and thirty." I nodded to emphasize as if I meant it.

His reaction was animated and hilarious. "Three and thirty? Th -" He was incapable of speech for a long time, then very red in the face, he sputtered. "Is that what you really think? What kind of old lecher do you think I am?"

I suppressed a giggle with great difficulty. "I don't think you an old lecher in the least! But if a man of three and thirty were interested in a young lady of fifteen, he would certainly be one. I was teasing, my love. I don't think you're above three and twenty as I originally said." So saying, I sat quietly, waiting for him to speak.

"Well, as I tire of this game, I will tell you."

"You only tire of it because you're coming out poorly." I smiled sweetly.

He waved it off as unimportant. "Be that as it may, and I don't deny that's my motivation in part. I also must get you home soon. Very well, I'm not three and thirty, nor am I three and twenty. Given the ability to speak several languages fluently, as well as some Indian dialects of this area, I worked first as an interpreter. Then I became a liaison. Having other necessary talents, I obtained my position with your father at the ripe old age of seventeen. So therefore, my sweet, I'm a mere child myself."

I counted up the years he had worked for my father. "You're one and twenty!?" I hugged him, regardless of the looks we drew.

His smile widened as he held me closely. "Why is that so wonderful?"

"Well it's silly, really," I giggled, blushing deep red to the roots of my hair. "But I didn't want you to be too old, for fear you would tire of me since I'm still so young."

He took my hands in his. "I assure you, Gabriella, I'd never tire of you were I three and forty."

For other quotes from my other stories, check my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php and
my other blog: http://dellanioakes.wordpress.com/